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New global framework unites federations, clubs and ecosystem leaders to form national teams and mobilize local communities, accelerating representation on the global stage
Watch the ENC National Team Partners Announcement Campaign
[Media Kit]
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports Foundation (EF) today awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh from November 2-29, 2026.
This marks the first time esports introduces a structured global system for national teams at scale, adding a new layer to the industry's ecosystem alongside club-based competition. Designed to complement existing frameworks rather than replace them, the ENC will work with local stakeholders closest to the sport to strengthen connections and support long-term national development.
National Team Partners will lead team formation, mobilize local communities and establish the structures needed to enable participation and the growth of esports. To ensure worldwide participation, countries and territories without a partner will be supported through regional structures provided by the EF.
The EF received more than 630 applications from 150 countries and territories, reflecting the global interest in and opportunity for nation-based esports. The partners represent legacy esports organizations that have shaped their national scenes for decades alongside emerging forces driving the next wave of competitive gaming. The list of organizations and individuals who have been awarded this status is available on the ENC website and will be updated as additional appointments are confirmed.
"The Esports Nations Cup introduces something esports has never had before: a global system for national teams at an unprecedented scale," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. "The response we received from across the world shows that communities are ready for this next step. Together with our partners, we are building the structures that will allow players to represent their nations and compete on the biggest stage in esports. With more than 100 nations now part of the system, the Esports Nations Cup moves from concept to reality, establishing national esports as a lasting part of the global competitive landscape."
Recognizing that esports has developed differently in many nations, the ENC adopts a partnership-led approach rather than relying on a single model, marking a first in global sport and esports alike. By working with recognized local stakeholders, whether institutions, Clubs, or community-led organizations, this model is designed to unlock the full creative and competitive potential of each nation.
National Team Partners will operate through a range of structures, from established national bodies such as the Korea Esports Association and the Saudi Esports Federation, to club-led coalitions in Brazil and the USA, and hybrid public-private alliances in countries like Germany, Canada and the UAE.
In markets such as Malaysia, Turkey, and Thailand, partners include federations working closely with grassroots communities, while in emerging regions like Indonesia and Mongolia, partners are being supported through structured development to represent their nations on a global stage.
For the first time in the history of esports, national teams will be formed from these local structures, bringing players together to compete for their nation and unlocking a new dimension of fandom built on identity and pride. From South Korea's legendary League of Legends dominance and India's Chess affinity, to Brazil's Counter-Strike tradition, Japan's fighting games heritage and Southeast Asia's mobile games' powerhouses, the ENC creates a new global stage for competition.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh in November 2026 before moving to a rotating city model. The biennial ENC complements the annual Club-based Esports World Cup (EWC), providing a stable structure for players and long-term investment in national team programs.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports Foundation on LinkedIn.
About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports Foundation (EF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com
About the Esports Foundation
The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the EF brings together the world's top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Esports Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
New global framework unites federations, clubs and ecosystem leaders to form national teams and mobilize local communities, accelerating representation on the global stage
Watch the ENC National Team Partners Announcement Campaign
[Media Kit]
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Esports Foundation (EF) today awarded National Team Partner status to organizations and individuals across more than 100 countries and territories for the Esports Nations Cup 2026 (ENC), the global nation-based esports competition set to debut in Riyadh from November 2-29, 2026.
This marks the first time esports introduces a structured global system for national teams at scale, adding a new layer to the industry's ecosystem alongside club-based competition. Designed to complement existing frameworks rather than replace them, the ENC will work with local stakeholders closest to the sport to strengthen connections and support long-term national development.
National Team Partners will lead team formation, mobilize local communities and establish the structures needed to enable participation and the growth of esports. To ensure worldwide participation, countries and territories without a partner will be supported through regional structures provided by the EF.
The EF received more than 630 applications from 150 countries and territories, reflecting the global interest in and opportunity for nation-based esports. The partners represent legacy esports organizations that have shaped their national scenes for decades alongside emerging forces driving the next wave of competitive gaming. The list of organizations and individuals who have been awarded this status is available on the ENC website and will be updated as additional appointments are confirmed.
"The Esports Nations Cup introduces something esports has never had before: a global system for national teams at an unprecedented scale," said Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports Foundation. "The response we received from across the world shows that communities are ready for this next step. Together with our partners, we are building the structures that will allow players to represent their nations and compete on the biggest stage in esports. With more than 100 nations now part of the system, the Esports Nations Cup moves from concept to reality, establishing national esports as a lasting part of the global competitive landscape."
Recognizing that esports has developed differently in many nations, the ENC adopts a partnership-led approach rather than relying on a single model, marking a first in global sport and esports alike. By working with recognized local stakeholders, whether institutions, Clubs, or community-led organizations, this model is designed to unlock the full creative and competitive potential of each nation.
National Team Partners will operate through a range of structures, from established national bodies such as the Korea Esports Association and the Saudi Esports Federation, to club-led coalitions in Brazil and the USA, and hybrid public-private alliances in countries like Germany, Canada and the UAE.
In markets such as Malaysia, Turkey, and Thailand, partners include federations working closely with grassroots communities, while in emerging regions like Indonesia and Mongolia, partners are being supported through structured development to represent their nations on a global stage.
For the first time in the history of esports, national teams will be formed from these local structures, bringing players together to compete for their nation and unlocking a new dimension of fandom built on identity and pride. From South Korea's legendary League of Legends dominance and India's Chess affinity, to Brazil's Counter-Strike tradition, Japan's fighting games heritage and Southeast Asia's mobile games' powerhouses, the ENC creates a new global stage for competition.
The ENC will launch in Riyadh in November 2026 before moving to a rotating city model. The biennial ENC complements the annual Club-based Esports World Cup (EWC), providing a stable structure for players and long-term investment in national team programs.
Additional information about the Esports Nations Cup will be released in the coming weeks. To stay up to date, visit esportsnationscup.com, and follow ENC on X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and follow the Esports Foundation on LinkedIn.
About the Esports Nations Cup
The Esports Nations Cup (ENC) is a biennial global esports competition created by the Esports Foundation (EF) that brings national pride to the world stage. Launching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026, the ENC will feature the world's best players competing not for their clubs, but for their countries and territories, across a lineup of leading esports titles. Built in collaboration with game partners, clubs, and esports organizations, the ENC establishes the first recurring, large-scale platform for national teams in esports. Beyond competition, it aims to fuel fandom, inspire heroes, and provide sustainable pathways for nations, players, and partners to grow within the global esports ecosystem. esportsnationscup.com
About the Esports Foundation
The Esports Foundation (EF) is a non-profit organization based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, dedicated to advancing and professionalizing the global esports industry. Through the annual Esports World Cup (EWC) and the biennial Esports Nations Cup (ENC), the EF brings together the world's top players, leading clubs, and millions of fans for the biggest stages in competitive gaming. Beyond hosting tournaments, the Esports Foundation works year-round to grow the esports ecosystem, support talent development, and create lasting opportunities for players, teams, and partners worldwide.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Awards Official Partner Status Across 100+ Nations to Build the Future of Nation-Based Esports
Esports Nations Cup 2026 Awards Official Partner Status Across 100+ Nations to Build the Future of Nation-Based Esports
Debuting at ISC West, Xthings One replaces fragmented security tools with a single, AI-powered edge platform - no cloud dependency required
LAS VEGAS and SAN JOSE, Calif., March 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- At ISC West 2026, Xthings, a global leader in AIoT and smart security, today introduced Xthings One, a modular, on-premises security command center designed for organizations seeking to unify video surveillance, access control, and workforce intelligence in a single edge platform. Xthings One unifies video surveillance, access control, time and attendance, and visitor management into a single edge-based platform, giving business owners and security teams the clarity and control that fragmented systems have long failed to deliver.
Xthings One brings cameras, access control, time tracking, and visitor management into a single on-premises command center running locally on Xthings Station edge appliances.
Xthings One runs on the Xthings Station series, a family of compact edge appliances designed to deploy the platform directly on-site. Powered by dedicated AI compute modules, the Station series processes video analytics, access events, and operational data locally, eliminating dependence on cloud infrastructure while providing a scalable foundation for unified security and operations.
For too long, SMBs have been caught between enterprise platforms that are too complex and consumer tools that don't scale. Cameras, doors, time clocks, and visitor logs live in separate systems, each with its own subscription, dashboard, and blind spots. When an incident occurs, there is no single place to see the full picture. Xthings One changes that by bringing everything into one timeline, one dashboard, and one source of truth, all running locally on Xthings Station edge appliance, powered by 25 TOPS of AI compute.
"Security for small businesses is broken, not because of hardware, but because of fragmentation," said Raj Sundar, Senior Director of Product Management at Xthings. "Xthings One gives every business a professional-grade security command center that's simple to deploy, doesn't depend on the cloud, and grows with them over time. You start with one problem and scale with confidence."
One Platform, Multiple Starting Points
Xthings One is designed so businesses can start with the problem that matters most to them, then expand as their needs evolve, all on the same system, with one learning curve.
- SecureSite (Video + Incidents): AI-powered video surveillance with detection for people, vehicles, and perimeter events. Smart zones reduce false alarms, access events are automatically linked to video, and a built-in incident workflow moves teams from detection to resolution: acknowledge, assign, resolve, and audit.
- DoorControl (Access + Audit): Enterprise-grade access control without enterprise complexity. Centralized credentials and schedules, fast employee onboarding and offboarding, compliance-ready audit logs, and life-safety integrations including fire release and offline mode.
- TimeGuard (Time + Attendance): Presence-verified time tracking that ties clock-in and clock-out to physical access and location. Flexible shift scheduling, real-time attendance visibility, and payroll-ready exports that integrate directly with existing accounting systems.
- GuestFlow (Visitor Management Add-On): A digital visitor experience with self-check-in, pre-registration, temporary access that expires automatically, and a full audit trail, giving businesses a professional front door with built-in security and compliance.
One Timeline. One Source of Truth.
What sets Xthings One apart is how it links every event – video, door access, and time records, into a single, correlated timeline. When a door opens, the nearest camera clip is automatically bookmarked. When an employee clocks in, their presence is validated against access data. When a visitor checks in, their access and video trace are logged together. No more switching between systems, no more guessing. Every event carries context.
Real-Time AI, Processed On-Device
Xthings One runs entirely on the Xthings Station series edge appliances, which provide dedicated AI compute and local storage for video, access events, and operational intelligence.
All video analytics run locally on the Xthings One edge station's 25 TOPS AI compute module; no raw video is sent to the cloud. Capabilities span three domains of intelligence: security and safety (intrusion detection, loitering, suspicious activity detection, real-time incident alerts), operational intelligence (occupancy monitoring, PPE compliance, behavior and anomaly detection), and vehicle intelligence (license plate recognition, vehicle tracking, parking and loading-zone monitoring). The on-prem architecture is designed for privacy-sensitive environments, with biometric templates for facial recognition and fingerprint authentication stored and matched locally.
A Unified Hardware Ecosystem
Xthings One supports a broad range of devices managed from a single console: access control readers, intelligent locks, and biometric attendance terminals for identity and access; ONVIF-compatible IP cameras for indoor and outdoor surveillance; turnstiles, barrier gates, and perimeter intrusion sensors for flow and perimeter control; and visitor registration kiosks for front-of-house management. The platform uses PoE connectivity to simplify installation and reduce maintenance costs.
Built for Channel Partners
Xthings One is designed with installers and integrators in mind. Faster installs through PoE and edge deployment, fewer systems to support, and a clear upsell path, from doors to video to time to visitors, make it easier to sell and easier to support. The platform delivers SMB-friendly deployment with enterprise credibility.
See Xthings One at ISC West
Xthings One will be on display at ISC West 2026 at the Xthings booth: [Booth #32061].
About Xthings
Xthings is a global AIoT and smart security company behind leading brands including ULTRALOQ smart locks, Ulticam AI security cameras, Anviz access control and biometric solutions, and other connected solutions for homes, businesses, and enterprises. Combining hardware, software, and cloud intelligence, Xthings delivers secure, intelligent, and seamless experiences across residential, commercial, and industrial environments.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Xthings Unveils Xthings One: The On-Prem Security Command Center That Unifies Video, Access, and Workforce Intelligence
